Sports

Photo courtesy Richmond Sockeyes

Sockeyes Add Depth to Roster

By Steve Erickson

Published 3:28 PDT, Fri October 16, 2026

Last Updated: 3:02 PDT, Tue October 20, 2026

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Given the early stages of the new BCHC season games, including pre-season, it is more of a rebuild, not just the players, but also the coaching staff, management and ownership. Many have an indication that the pressure is solely on the players, but realistically speaking, there is more pressure aside from the players.

Pre-season saw the Sockeyes play three games, two on the road and one at home, managing eighteen goals while allowing sixteen against, clearly testing the Sockeyes new “tenders.” Regular season put additional pressure on the players who are fighting for a roster spot to make the team, and while some think just trying out guarantees a spot in the lineup nothing is confirmed.

The Sockeyes kicked off the 2026-27 season September 10th against their “Tunnel Series,” the Delta Ice Hawks, who had changes of their own in the off-season, bringing in Rick Lanz as the bench boss, replacing seasoned vet Steve Robinson. In the off-season, I had mentioned that the Sockeyes had also changed, bringing in seasoned coaches who are in the process of building a strong contender looking to make major steps in the new league. As strong as the Sockeyes get, it goes without saying that other teams are also building strong contenders to make a run at season end in the playoffs, which changes from month to month.

The Sockeyes dropped the first game to Delta by a narrow 5-3 margin that saw them not just open the scoring with the first goal of the season at 9:20 on the power play, followed by their second at 13:32. Richmond managed to pull within one at 15:17 with Quinn Orr scoring the first of the season for the Sockeyes on the power play, with Kieran Ganga and Jackson Schroeder each getting their helpers. The first saw the teams trade three minors, while the second saw more of an explosive attack by the Sockeyes, with Jonathan Zhang and Keelan Wyke adding to their scoring total. Pressure was clearly on the new Sockeyes roster, which saw them lead in the shot department 26-22 in a period that saw the Ice Hawks come out with a strong third, adding a pair to pull off a 5-3 win. Despite the loss, the Sockeyes outshot Delta by a 41-36 margin, controlling shots from the outside perimeter at both ends of the ice, which saw Richmond go one for seven on the PP while Delta was 3-10. The Sockeyes paid a visit to Delta a short two days later, and Delta scored a late third-period goal, sending them home with the 3-2 loss while outshooting Delta 50-29.

Richmond hosted Coastal Tsunami for their third home game of the season, with pressure clearly on the home team looking for another win in a game that would see both teams head to O/T. Richmond opened the scoring with Devon Mahil getting his first of the season at 9:45 that saw the Tsunami pull even at the 16:00 mark of the first while on the PP in a period that saw the visitors manage two PPs. Richmond’s aggressive attack saw them again outshoot the visitors after one by an 11-8 margin, getting an early goal in the second a short 37 seconds in for the early 2-1 lead, only to allow the visitors to get a pair, jumping out to a 3-2 lead. The Sockeyes pulled even at 19:34 while on the PP, hammering shot after shot after Hayden Paris in the second by an 18-11 margin.

The third saw the teams trade a pair, taking a 3-3 to O/T in a period that saw the Tsunami outshoot Richmond by an 18-14 margin, outshooting the visitors 43-37 after forty minutes. Heading to O/T, some thought that the pressure was on the Tsunami, but in conversation with some fans around the broadcast booth, they mentioned that the pressure was on Richmond, who could ill afford to drop another game.

Even in the broadcast booth, both Steve and I were having an off-camera discussion about the fact that Richmond was in need of a win, which they managed to pull out. Special teams play huge roles for all teams, and this game was no different, with the Tsunami managing 1-9 while the Sockeyes finished 1-6, outshooting the Tsunami 46-39 and scoring the winning goal at 3:24 in O/T.

Development for players saw Former Richmond Sockeyes Nickolas Kovich getting signed by the WHL Vancouver Giants, who played part of three seasons (2023-2026) with the Sockeyes with 15 goals, 18 assists, finishing with 33 points in just 31 regular-season games, adding eight points in 11 playoff games. For the Sockeyes, seeing a local player continue his development at the WHL level is a special moment.

In conversation with Doug Paterson, he mentioned: “The Richmond Sockeyes are very pleased to see Nick Kovich make the Vancouver Giants.” He played for DHA U18 Prep, finishing second in the team scoring with 31 points in 30 games. He was initially selected 75th by the Red Deer Rebels (fourth round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft) and was acquired by the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2029 WHL Draft.

The Sockeyes congratulate Nick on his success to date and wish him all the success in his career!!!